Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — June 21-25, 2021

Public Health Contacts

If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.

Navajo Nation Updates

As of June 18, the Nation rescinded its “Stay at Home” Public Health Emergency Order and implemented a “Safer at Home” Public Health Emergency Order.

The primary revised guidance is as follows:

President Nez is requesting a special session to rescind road closures that would allow access to Navajo Tribal Parks to the public. More details should be available in the coming weeks.

Concessions & Partner Changes this Week

Weekly Fire Updates

On June 11, Grand Canyon National Park transitioned into Stage 2 fire restrictions. As a reminder, Stage 2 restrictions prohibit any outdoor wood burning and charcoal fires. This does not include liquid petroleum or LPG fueled devices that can be turned on and off such as stoves, lantern, or heating devices. Stage 2 also prohibits outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle. Please observe these regulations to help protect our park from human-caused fire.

On June 23, due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are largely deployed, the entirety of Coconino and Kaibab National Forests closed for public safety. This closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.

A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Coconino and Kaibab National Forests at any time. Only those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties.

If you live outside of the park, be sure to check local fire restrictions that apply to your residential area. For example, on Wednesday, June 23rd at 8 a.m., Coconino County began fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the county that prohibit the use of open fire, campfire, fireworks, and combustion events; Flagstaff also began fire restrictions that prohibit the use of all outdoor grills (including those with an on/off switch). This includes propane gas, charcoal, pellet, and any open flame grills.

Grand Canyon and state roads 64 and 67 will remain open to the public. When fire information changes it will be posted to Grand Canyon’s Fire Information page.

Preparedness Levels…what do they really mean?

As of Monday, throughout the Southwest, there are a total of 26 wildland fires with a total of 2,700 committed wildland fire personnel. The Southwest is in what is known as “Preparedness Level 5” and nationally at “Preparedness Level 4.”

Preparedness Levels are dictated by fuel and weather conditions, fire activity, and fire suppression resource availability throughout the country.The five Preparedness Levels range from the lowest (1) to the highest (5).

Each Preparedness Level includes specific management actions and involves increasing levels of interagency resource commitments. As Preparedness Levels rise, so does the need for Incident Management Teams (IMTs) and suppression resources, which include wildland fire crews, engines, helicopters, airtankers and other aircraft, and specialized heavy equipment, such as bulldozers. Many of these resources and teams are Federal and state employees.

The Southwest is currently at Preparedness Level 5. This is the highest level of wildland fire activity. The Southwest is currently experiencing large, complex wildland fire incidents, which have the potential to exhaust national wildland firefighting resources. At this level, all fire-qualified federal employees become available for wildfire response, including our helitack and wildland fire crews here in the park.

With an increase in local wildfires, an evacuation of Grand Canyon National Park or surrounding areas (including communities in Flagstaff) may be necessary due to a wildland fire. The Ready, Set, Go! Program amplifies the common goal we all share for wildland fire preparedness.

The three steps encourage residents to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening.

READY: Means prepare now for the upcoming fire season. Register for Coconino County emergency notifications at http://coconino.az.gov/ready. Take personal responsibility and prepare before the threat of a wildland fire arrives so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe place. Plan escape routes and make sure all those residing in the home know the plan of action.

SET: Means be alert — when there is significant danger in your area. Know how to receive and stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media, your local fire department and Coconino County emergency notifications. Consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. This might be the only notice you receive.

GO!: This means Evacuate — danger in your area is current and life-threatening. Evacuate immediately to a shelter or to family/friends outside the affected area. Follow instructions from emergency personnel, and stay on designated evacuation routes. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

Detailed information is available on the park’s emergency webpage.

Raphael Fire Continues

The Rafael Fire, approximately 4 miles north of Perkinsville, AZ and southwest of Flagstaff, was discovered on June 18th, 2021.

The cause of the fire is most likely dry thunderstorms. Strong winds from the west in combination with terrain and low humidity caused increased fire behavior this week.

The size of the fire was over 36,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon. Some neighborhoods south and west of Flagstaff are in READY status to prepare for an evacuation order if necessary. Should evacuations become necessary for any Grand Canyon employees or partners, PLEASE, comply with evacuation orders immediately.

Summer Heat Awareness

We should all be prepared for excessively hot days in the coming weeks. In the summer, temperatures on exposed parts of hiking trails can reach over 120°F in the shade. Our team strongly advises not hiking in the inner canyon between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Most of the people who need emergency medical help in the canyon due to heat illness are hiking between these hours.

Hiking in extreme heat can lead to serious health risks including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hyponatremia, and death. Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed during the summer months due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flying capability during periods of extreme heat or inclement weather.

Grand Canyon trails do not close due to inclement or hot weather. Anyone looking to recreate in the park should evaluate their level of experience and the current weather conditions, and plan accordingly. For more information on hiking in the summer months in Grand Canyon, visit our Hike Smart webpage.

South Rim

Desert View

North Rim

The following park closures remain in place:

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.